U.S. patent application number 13/156336 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-17 for circuit interrupting system with remote test and reset activation.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. Invention is credited to Gaetano Bonasia, MAXIM LAURENT, KANGPIN TEE.
Application Number | 20110279932 13/156336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42119757 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110279932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonasia; Gaetano ; et
al. |
November 17, 2011 |
CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING SYSTEM WITH REMOTE TEST AND RESET
ACTIVATION
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a circuit interrupting device
and system capable of being tested and reset from remote locations,
and in particular to circuit interrupting devices and system
capable of being tested and reset from remote locations. A remote
monitoring device can also be included which can be used to control
an actuation device which is capable of controlling a circuit
interrupting device. Alternatively the remote monitoring or control
device can be used to control the device directly
Inventors: |
Bonasia; Gaetano; (Bronx,
NY) ; TEE; KANGPIN; (BROOKLYN, NY) ; LAURENT;
MAXIM; (BROOKLYN, NY) |
Assignee: |
LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
INC
MELVILLE
NY
|
Family ID: |
42119757 |
Appl. No.: |
13/156336 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12254105 |
Oct 20, 2008 |
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13156336 |
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11234185 |
Sep 26, 2005 |
7440246 |
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12254105 |
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60619115 |
Oct 15, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02H 3/04 20130101; H02H
3/335 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/42 |
International
Class: |
H02H 9/08 20060101
H02H009/08 |
Claims
1. A portable interrupting apparatus comprising: a) a cable having
a first end and a second end; b) a plug disposed at said first end
of said cable for engaging a receptacle; d) a connector disposed at
said second end of said cable for releasable connection to another
electrical component; e) a circuit interrupting housing; f) a
circuit interrupting device, coupled between said plug and said
connector, and at least partially disposed within said circuit
interrupting housing; and g) at least one remote activating device
comprising a remote housing; wherein said circuit interrupting
device is in communication with said at least one remote activating
device and wherein said circuit interrupting device has at least
one activator, and said at least one remote activating device has
at least one activator, resulting in a portable circuit
interrupting device that can be tested and reset via at least two
different devices in at least two different locations.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one activator
of said at least one remote activating device comprises at least
one of a test button and a reset button and wherein said at least
one activator of said circuit interrupting device comprises at
least one of a test button and a reset button to respectively test
and reset said circuit interrupting device.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising at least one
communication line comprising at least one of an Ethernet line and
a fiber optic line.
4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one
communication line is disposed in said cable.
5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device communicates with said circuit interrupting
device via X-10 protocol.
6. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device communicates with said circuit interrupting
device via TCP/IP protocol.
7. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising at least one
additional cable and at least one branching element wherein said at
least one branching element is coupled to said cable and said at
least one additional cable is coupled to said at least one
branching element.
8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said at least one remote
activating device is coupled to said at least one additional
cable.
9. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device further comprises addressable circuitry which
allows said at least one remote activating device to be identified
on a network.
10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said addressable circuitry
is coupled to said circuit interrupting system for identification
of said circuit interrupting system on a network.
11. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device comprises at least one of a transmitter and
receiver configured to communicate with said circuit interrupting
device.
12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said at least one remote
activating device communicates with said circuit interrupting
device via a wireless protocol taken from the group consisting of:
802.11x; all IEEE 802 channels; Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT); Cellular; personal area networks;
UltraWideband (UWB); WLAN; WMAN; Broadband Fixed Access; Local
Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS); WiMax; and HiperMAN.
13. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device is configured to monitor said circuit
interrupting device.
14. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote
activating device is in the form of one of: a computer, a computer
workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a
personal digital assistant, a telephone, a cellular telephone, and
a text messaging device.
15. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising at least one
additional remote device configured to communicate with said at
least one remote activating device.
16. The apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said at least one
additional remote device is in the form of one of: a computer, a
computer workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a
server, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a cellular
telephone, and a text messaging device.
17. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said circuit interrupting
device is one selected from the group consisting of: a ground fault
circuit interrupter, AFCI, a ELCI, and an ALCI.
18. The apparatus as in claim 17, further comprising addressable
circuitry disposed in said at least one remote activating device,
wherein said addressable circuitry allows said at last one remote
activating device to be identified on a computer network.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/254,105 filed on Oct. 20, 2009, wherein
that application is a continuation in part application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/234,185 filed on Sep. 26, 2005,
which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,440,246 on Oct. 21, 2008,
wherein that application is related to and claims priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/619,115, filed Oct. 15, 2004,
and entitled "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter With Remote Test and
Reset," wherein the disclosure of each of these applications are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to resettable circuit
interrupting devices and assemblies capable of being tested and
reset from remote locations, and include without limitation ground
fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's), arc fault circuit interrupters
(AFCI's), immersion detection circuit interrupters (IDCI's),
appliance leakage circuit interrupters (ALCI's), and equipment
leakage circuit interrupters (ELCI's),
[0003] A proposal has been introduced to the National Electric Code
(NEC) Section 422.16(B)(4) that would require new and
remanufactured vending machines to have installed at the factory a
power cord or cable assembly that includes a ground fault type
circuit interrupting device. In a typical environment where a
vending machine is located, a cable assembly with a ground fault
type circuit interrupting device would be located in the rear of
the vending machine and plugged into a wall outlet typically behind
the vending machine. To test the ground fault type circuit
interrupting device, the vending machine would have to be moved
away from the wall to gain access to the circuit interrupting
device. Since vending machines are typically heavy and the location
of the wall outlet and rear cable assembly make it difficult and
inconvenient to perform periodic testing of the ground fault type
circuit interrupting device. Moreover, Underwriters' Laboratories
(UL) has issued a requirement for periodic and convenient testing
of ground fault type circuit interrupting devices.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates to circuit interrupting
devices and system capable of being tested and reset from remote
locations. In one embodiment, there may be a wall mounted
receptacle circuit interrupter which is capable of being tested and
reset from a remote location. In one embodiment, a portable circuit
interrupting system includes a plug assembly, a connector, and a
circuit interrupting device located between the plug assembly and
connector. Alternatively, the circuit interrupting system can be
constructed such that instead of a connector, the load side of the
system can be hard wired to the load, to which it supplies power.
Thus, in this configuration, the system would be in the form of a
power supply cord. The circuit interrupting device can be in any
form and can include any circuitry necessary to create an
interruption in a circuit if a fault condition is detected. The
circuit interrupting device is connected to the plug assembly and
connector by one or more cables, and is configured to change from a
reset state to a trip state upon the occurrence of a predetermined
condition, such as a ground fault. The circuit interrupting device
also includes test circuitry configured to cause the circuit
interrupting device to change from the reset state to the trip
state when activated, and reset circuitry configured to cause the
circuit interrupting device to change from the tripped state to the
reset state when activated.
[0005] At least one activating device is provided to remotely
activate the test circuitry or the reset circuitry. The activating
device can be in the form of any viable activating device that
activates the test circuitry or reset circuitry on the circuit
interrupting device, or any circuitry that simply activates or
communicates with the circuit interrupting device to communicate or
display the status of the circuit interrupting device. The
activating device may be a wireless device that activates the test
circuitry or the reset circuitry by transmitting a wireless signal
to the circuit interrupting device, or the activating device may be
hard wired to the circuit interrupting device and activates the
test circuitry or the reset circuitry by sending a signal along the
hard wire to the circuit interrupting device. The activating device
may be included in the connector or a stand alone device. In an
alternative embodiment, the portable circuit interrupting system
includes a plug assembly, a circuit interrupting device connected
to the plug assembly and at least one activating device operatively
coupled to the circuit interrupting device. The circuit
interrupting device is preferably configured to change from a reset
state to a trip state upon the occurrence of a predetermined
condition, such as a ground fault. The circuit interrupting device
includes test circuitry configured to cause the circuit
interrupting device to change from the reset state to the trip
state when activated, and reset circuitry configured to cause the
circuit interrupting device to change from the tripped state to the
reset state when activated. At least one activating device is
provided to remotely activate the test circuitry or the reset
circuitry. The activating device may be a wireless device that
activates the test circuitry or the reset circuitry by transmitting
a wireless signal to the circuit interrupting device, or the
activating device may be hard wired to the circuit interrupting
device and activates the test circuitry or the reset circuitry by
sending a signal along the hard wire to the circuit interrupting
device. In another embodiment, the portable circuit interrupting
system includes a plug assembly having a circuit interrupting
device included in the plug assembly, and at least one activating
device capable of remotely activating the test circuitry or reset
circuitry.
[0006] In at least one alternative embodiment, a remote monitoring
device can be connected to a remote activation device to control
the remote activation device, or be in direct communication with a
fault circuit to control the fault circuit. The communication can
be either via wired communication means or wireless. In addition,
if the communication is via wired lines, the wired lines can be
configured for X-10 communication or any suitable communication
protocol or the wired communication lines can be in the form of
fiber optic lines.
[0007] This remote monitoring device can also be in the form of a
remote monitoring and activating device for remotely acting on
either the activating device, or acting directly on the fault
circuit device.
[0008] The remote monitoring device or remote control device can be
in any form that would include a display or some indicators which
disclose the status of the fault circuit interrupter or the
position of the test and reset buttons on either the activation
device or the fault circuit interrupter itself. The indication
means can be via either graphical representation or via text
messaging. In at least one embodiment the remote monitoring device
can be in the form of a personal computer, a server or any other
suitable type device for displaying or controlling the status of
either the activating device or the fault circuit device. This
remote monitoring device can use either customized or off the shelf
software which allows for this remote monitoring device to be
housed in a central station to monitor many GFCI's and allow for
each GFCI to be capable of having its own identifier or addressable
component. In this case each GFCI is then disposed on a network
wherein each GFCI is a node.
[0009] Along with the device, there is also a method for
communicating with a fault circuit. The method includes providing a
fault circuit interrupter with test circuitry. Another step
includes providing a remote testing device and then testing the
fault circuit interrupter from a remote location. This method
includes testing the fault circuit interrupter by testing via a
wireless protocol to the fault circuit interrupter. This step
includes wirelessly testing the fault circuit interrupter, and
comprises sending a wireless command from the remote testing device
to the fault circuit interrupter, receiving this command in the
fault circuit interrupter, and then conducting a test of the fault
circuit interrupter.
[0010] One of the benefits of this design, is that with the
addressable component and with the use of text messaging or other
protocols, a user can pinpoint the location of perishable food or
other items that may be involved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a GFCI with remote test and
reset functionality in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a GFCI with remote test and reset
functionality in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a GFCI with remote test and reset
functionality in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a GFCI with remote test and reset
functionality in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a GFCI with remote test and reset
functionality in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cable for use with a
GFCI with remote test and reset functionality in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cable for use with a
GFCI with remote test and reset functionality in accordance with
another embodiment of the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a cable with a GFCI
with remote test and reset functionality which communicates through
electrical lines;
[0019] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a cable with a GFCI
with remote test and reset functionality which communicates through
electrical lines without power lines;
[0020] FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a layout including a
remote control device;
[0021] FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram of a layout including a
remote control device communicating directly with a fault circuit
interrupter;
[0022] FIG. 9C is a schematic block diagram of a remote control
device communicating through another remote control device to a
fault circuit interrupter;
[0023] FIG. 10A is another embodiment of this disclosure wherein
the device has a remote test and reset functionality, wherein there
is also a remote device for controlling the remote control device
or the fault circuit interrupter in a wired manner;
[0024] FIG. 10B is another embodiment of the disclosure wherein the
device has a remote test and reset functionality, wherein there is
also a remote device for wirelessly communicating with and remotely
controlling the activation device or the fault circuit interrupter
in a wireless manner;
[0025] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
in-line activation device for communicating with a fault circuit
interrupter device;
[0026] FIG. 11B is an exploded view of the in line activation
device;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the electronic components in
a circuit board shown in FIG. 11B;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for a process for remotely accessing
a circuit interrupting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] As noted, the present disclosure relates to resettable
circuit interrupting devices or systems and assemblies capable of
being tested and reset from remote locations and in particular to
portable circuit interrupting system capable of being tested and
reset from remote locations. The type of circuit interrupting
devices contemplated by the present disclosure include without
limitation ground fault type circuit interrupting devices, arc
fault circuit interrupting devices, immersion detection circuit
interrupting devices, appliance leakage circuit interrupting
devices, and equipment leakage circuit interrupting devices.
However, for ease of description and without departing from the
full scope of the family of circuit interrupting devices, the
following description will be directed to ground fault circuit
interrupting devices. Referring to FIG. 1, a portable circuit
interrupting system 10 with remote test and reset functionality in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is
provided. The portable circuit interrupting system 10 can be a
power cord assembly, a cable assembly or any other portable
structure capable of supplying power from a fixed power source to a
load, such as a commercial, industrial or home appliance. The
present disclosure applies equally well to a wall mount circuit
interrupter.
[0031] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the circuit interrupting system
10 includes a ground fault type circuit interrupting device 12
having a housing 12c and activating devices 14, 16 or 18 each
having respective housings 14c, 16c, and 18c. Any of these
activating devices 14, 16 or 18 can be characterized as remote
activating devices. Activating device 14 has a test button 14a, a
reset button 14b, activating device 16 has a test button 16a, and a
reset button 16b, while activating device 18 has a test button 18a,
and a reset button 18b. While FIG. 1 illustrates multiple
activating devices, one or more of the activating devices 14, 16 or
18 can be included in the circuit interrupting assembly 10. The
circuit interrupting device 12 has a line side portion that
includes a power cord or cable 20 having a plug assembly for
connection to a fixed source of electrical power, e.g., a wall
mounted outlet (not shown), for providing electrical power to a
load. The circuit interrupting device 12 has a load side that
includes a load side power cord or cable 22 with electrical power
conductors ending in a connector (e.g., a female receptacle, not
shown) that connects to an electrical load (not shown), such as a
vending machine or other commercial, industrial or home electrical
machine. Alternatively the circuit interrupting system can be
constructed such that instead of a connector, the load side of the
system can be hard wired to the load to which it supplies power.
Thus, in this configuration the system would be known as a power
supply cord. Between the line side and load side of the circuit
interrupting device are conductive paths. Typically, there is a
phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path and a ground
conductive path. While a single phase system is described here,
this system would function equally well in a multi-phase system.
The cable 20 and plug assembly and the connector are electrical
components for handling electrical power over phase, neutral and
ground conductors. The circuit interrupting device 12 also includes
fault sensing circuitry used to monitor the electrical power
flowing through the line side phase and neutral conductive paths of
cable 20, and a trip mechanism used to change the state of the
circuit interrupting device between a reset state and a tripped
state. In the reset state there is electrical continuity in the
phase and neutral conductive paths between the line side and load
side of the circuit interrupting device 12. In the tripped state
there is electrical discontinuity in the phase and neutral
conductive paths between the line side and load side of the circuit
interrupting device 12. When a fault condition is detected by the
fault sensing circuitry the trip mechanism causes the circuit
interrupting device to change from the reset state to the tripped
state. Examples of fault conditions the fault sensing circuitry may
detect include ground faults, arc faults, appliance leakage faults,
immersion detection faults, or equipment leakage faults. The trip
mechanism may utilize electromechanical or electrical components or
both to change the state of the circuit interrupting device 12.
That is, the trip mechanism may use electromechanical or electrical
components or both to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase
and neutral conductive paths between the line side and load side of
the circuit interrupting device (the tripped state), or the trip
mechanism may use electro-mechanical or electrical components or
both to cause electrical continuity in the phase and neutral
conductive paths between the line side and load side of the circuit
interrupting device (the reset state). An example of the fault
sensing circuitry and the trip mechanism can be found in commonly
owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
[0032] The circuit interrupting device 12 also includes test
circuitry and reset circuitry that can be manually activated by
buttons 12a, 12b or remotely activated as will be described below.
The test circuitry is used to test all or part of the fault sensing
circuitry, the trip mechanism, or both the fault sensing circuitry
and the trip mechanism of the circuit interrupting device 12. The
reset circuitry is used to cause the trip mechanism to return to
the reset state, i.e., to re-establish electrical continuity in the
phase and neutral conductive paths after the circuit interrupting
device 12 has been tested or a fault condition detected. Examples
of the test circuitry and the reset circuitry can be found in
commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894. It should be noted that the
circuit interrupting device may optionally include reset lockout
functionality to prevent the circuit interrupting device from
changing to the reset state in the event all or part of the fault
sensing circuitry, all or part of the trip mechanism or all or part
of the test circuitry are inoperative. Examples of reset lockout
features are described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,070,
which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
[0033] For remote activation of the test circuitry or the reset
circuitry the circuit interrupting device may be configured for
hard wire communications to the one or more activating devices 14,
16 or 18 via additional conductors in cable 22. In addition to or
instead of hard wire communication, the circuit interrupting device
may include wireless communication circuitry connected to the test
circuitry and the reset circuitry. The communication circuitry
enables remote activation of all or part of the test circuitry, all
or part of the reset circuitry, or all or part of the test and
reset circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry contemplated
by the present disclosure covers the complete spectrum of wireless
communication circuits including infra-red communication circuitry,
radio frequency communication circuitry, optical transmission,
audio transmission, ultrasonic transmission, or any other technique
for wireless communications. Typically, the communication circuitry
includes a receiver for receiving wireless signals and adapter
circuitry for adapting the received wireless signal to a form
capable of communicating with the test circuitry or the reset
circuitry.
[0034] As noted the test and reset circuitry of the circuit
interrupting device 12 can be remotely activated by one or more
activating devices 14, 16 or 18. The activating devices 14, 16 or
18 include user accessible buttons (e.g., test and/or reset
buttons) 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, and 18a and 18b respectively, to
remotely activate the test circuitry or reset circuitry of the
circuit interrupting device 12. As noted, various communication
techniques may be utilized. For example, as seen in FIG. 1,
activating device 16 is hard wired to the circuit interrupting
device 12 via cable 22. Activating device 14 uses infra-red (IR)
communications and activating device 18 uses radio frequency (RF)
communications. Both the activating device 14 and activating device
18 would typically include a transmitter for transmitting a test or
reset signal generated when either the test or reset button is
activated.
[0035] Although three activating devices have been shown it should
be understood that the number and type of activating devices can
vary depending on the application. Moreover, an activating device
can use various communication techniques to activate the test
circuitry or reset circuitry of the circuit interrupting device 12,
such as, for example, power-line-carrier, twisted pair, fiber
optic, light or wave guide, natural or artificial light, magnetic
or electrical means or other techniques.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a portable circuit
interrupting system 40 with remote test and reset functionality. In
the embodiment of FIG. 2, the circuit interrupting device described
above is included in a plug assembly 42 capable of connecting to a
fixed source of electrical power, e.g., a wall mounted outlet (not
shown), to provide electrical power to a load. The plug assembly 42
has a power cord or cable 48 ending in a connector 44 (e.g., a
female receptacle) for connection to an electrical load, such as a
vending machine or other commercial, industrial or home electrical
machine (not shown). This would apply equally to an apparatus which
is hard wired to the load. In this embodiment, plug assembly 42
includes a line side that has prongs for connecting to the fixed
source of electrical power and a load side connected to the power
conductors in cable 48. Conductive paths are provided between the
line side and load side of the plug assembly. The circuit
interrupting device is connected between the line side and load
side of the plug assembly 42.
[0037] As noted, between the line side and load side of the plug
assembly 42 are conductive paths. Typically, in a single phase
system or in a multi-phase system there is a conductive path a
neutral conductive path and a ground conductive path. The circuit
interrupting device includes fault sensing circuitry used to
monitor the electrical power flowing through the phase and neutral
conductive paths on the line side of the plug assembly 42, and a
trip mechanism used to change the state of the circuit interrupting
device between a reset state and a tripped state. In the reset
state there is electrical continuity in the phase and neutral
conductive paths between the line side and load side of the plug
assembly 42. In the tripped state there is electrical discontinuity
in the phase and neutral conductive paths between the line side and
load side of the plug assembly 42. When a fault condition is
detected by the fault sensing circuitry the trip mechanism causes
the circuit interrupting device to change from the reset state to
the tripped state. Examples of the fault conditions the fault
sensing circuitry may detect include ground faults, arc faults,
appliance leakage faults, immersion detection faults, or equipment
leakage faults. The trip mechanism may include electromechanical or
electrical components or both to change the state of the circuit
interrupting device. That is, the trip mechanism may use
electromechanical or electrical components or both to cause
electrical discontinuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths
between the line side and load side of the circuit interrupting
device (the tripped state), or the trip mechanism may use
electromechanical or electrical components or both to cause
electrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths
between the line side and load side of the circuit interrupting
device (the reset state).
[0038] The circuit interrupting device also includes test circuitry
and reset circuitry that is housed in housing 42c and that can be
manually activated by buttons 42a, 42b or remotely activated as
will be described below. The test circuitry is used to test all or
part of the fault sensing circuitry, the trip mechanism or both the
fault sensing circuitry and trip mechanism of the circuit
interrupting device. The reset circuitry is to cause the trip
mechanism to return to the reset state, i.e., to re-establish
electrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths,
after the circuit interrupting device has been tested or a fault
condition detected. Examples of the test circuitry and reset
circuitry can be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
It should be noted that the circuit interrupting device may also
include reset lockout functionality to prevent the circuit
interrupting device from changing to the reset state in the event
all or part of the fault sensing circuitry, all or part of the trip
mechanism or all or part of the test circuitry are inoperative.
Examples of reset lockout features are described in commonly owned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,070, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the connector 44 includes
activating device 46 having a housing 46c and having test and reset
buttons 46a, 46b which can be used to remotely activate all or part
of the test circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry or all or
part of both. The cable 48 includes power conductors and signal
conductors. The power conductors deliver electrical power from the
plug assembly 42 to the connector 44. At the plug assembly 42, the
signal conductors are connected to the test circuitry and reset
circuitry, and at the connector 44 the signal conductors are
connected to test and reset buttons 46a, 46b on activating device
46. The signal conductors are used by the activating device 46 to
communicate with and remotely activate all or part of the test
circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry or all or part of
both.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a portable circuit
interrupting apparatus 50 with remote test and reset functionality.
In this embodiment, the plug assembly 52 has a housing 52c and test
and rest buttons 52a and 52b and is substantially similar to plug
assembly 42 and for clarity will not be described further. The
remote activation of the test or reset circuitry in the circuit
interrupting device is provided by an inline activating device 56
disposed between the plug assembly 52 and connector 54. The
activating device 56 has a housing 56c and includes test and reset
buttons 56a, 56b which can be used to remotely activate all or part
of the test circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry or all or
part of both. The plug assembly 52 is connected to the activating
device 56 via cable 58 and connector 54 is connected to the
activating device via cable 59. Cable 58 has power conductors and
signal conductors. Cable 59 has power conductors. The power
conductors deliver power from the plug assembly 52 to the connector
54. The signal conductors in cable 58 are used by the activating
device 56 to communicate with and remotely activate all or part of
the test circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry or all or
part of both.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a portable circuit
interrupting apparatus 60 with remote test and reset functionality.
In this embodiment, the plug assembly 62 having a housing 62c and
test and reset buttons 62a and 62b respectively. This plug assembly
62 is substantially similar to plug assembly 42 described above and
for clarity will not be described further, and the remote test and
reset functionality is provided by activating device 66. The
activating device 66 has a housing 66c and includes test and reset
buttons 66a, 66b which can be used to remotely activate all or part
of the test circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry or all or
part of both. The activating device may be free standing or may be
fixed to, for example, a wall via eyelets 74. In this embodiment,
the plug assembly 62 is connected to a first port of a splitter or
branching element 76 via cable 68. Cable 68 has power conductors
and signal conductors. A cable 70, having power conductors, is
connected between the connector 64 and a second port of the
splitter 76. A third port of splitter 76 is connected to the
activating device 66 via cable 72. Cable 72 has signal conductors.
The power conductors deliver electrical power from the plug
assembly 62 to the connector 64. The signal conductors in cable 68
and 72 are used by the activating device 66 to communicate with and
remotely activate all or part of the test circuitry, all or part of
the reset circuitry or all or part of both in the circuit
interrupting device.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a portable circuit
interrupting apparatus 80 with remote test and reset functionality.
In this embodiment, the remote test and reset functionality is
provided by activating device 84 connected to the load side of
circuit interrupting device 82 through cable 90. Circuit
interrupting device 82 has a housing 82c and a test button 82a, and
a reset button 82b. The line side of the circuit interrupting
device is connected via cable 88 to a plug assembly 86 including
prongs. The plug assembly 86 is used to connect the circuit
interrupting assembly 82 to a fixed source of electrical power,
e.g., a wall mounted outlet (not shown), to provide electrical
power to a load (not shown), such as a vending machine or other
commercial, industrial or home electrical machine. The circuit
interrupting device is substantially similar to the circuit
interrupting device 12 described above and for clarity will not be
described further.
[0043] The activating device 84 includes a housing 84c and test and
reset buttons 84a, 84b which can be used to remotely activate all
or part of the test circuitry, all or part of the reset circuitry
or all or part of both. The activating device 84 may be configured
as a panel capable of being mounted to a surface of an object, such
as wall or a machine.
[0044] As noted, the load side of the circuit interrupting device
82 is connected to the activating device 84 via cable 90. Cable 90
includes power conductors (Phase (L), Neutral (N) and Ground (G))
and signal conductors (T1, T2, R1, R2). The power conductors
provide power to a load, the signal conductors T1, T2 are connected
to the test button 84a, and the signal conductors R1, R2 are
connected to reset button 84b. This feature would apply equally
well to a multi-phase system.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cable 100 that may be
used with the various embodiments of a portable circuit
interrupting apparatus. The cable 100 includes an outer sheathing
102 having three power conductors 106 and three pairs of signal
conductors 104. The power conductors 106 are used to carry
electrical power over standard power lines (Phase, Neutral and
Ground). Each pair of the signal conductors 104 is used to carry or
handle signals between an activating device (e.g., activating
device 16 of FIG. 1, activating device 46 of FIG. 2 activating
device 56 of FIG. 3, activating device 66 of FIG. 4, or activating
device 84 of FIG. 5) and a circuit interrupting device or plug
assembly. These signal conductors 104 can be in any form such as a
wire or other metallic based communication lines, such as an
Ethernet cable, in the form of a fiber optic line, or any suitable
communication medium.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
cable that may be used with the various embodiments of a portable
circuit interrupting apparatus. In this embodiment, the cable 120
has two components, a power cable 122 and a signal cable 128. The
power cable 122 has three power conductors 124 used to carry
electrical power. The signal cable 128 has two pairs of signal
conductors 130. Each pair of the signal conductors 130 is used to
carry or handle signals between an activating device and a circuit
interrupting device or plug assembly. Preferably, the power cable
122 is coupled to but electrically isolated from the signal cable
130. These signal cables 130 can be in any form such as in the form
of a wire, or other metallic based communication lines, such as an
Ethernet cable, in the form of a fiber optic line or any suitable
communication medium.
[0047] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
cable that may be used with the various embodiments of a portable
circuit interrupting apparatus. In this embodiment, there are three
power conductors 106 similar to those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
however, in this embodiment the communication signals between the
activating device such as activating device 16 of FIG. 1, or other
activating devices 46, 56, 66, 84, or 116 and any one of the
circuit interrupting devices 12, 42, 52, 62, 82, or 112 are carried
on the three power conductors 106. This communication means is
possible because these communication signals are being communicated
via an X-10 or other suitable power line communication protocols.
In this case, "X-10" is a communications "language" that allows
compatible products to communicate with each other using the
existing electrical wiring in the home. X-10 communication means
have been used for other purposes wherein this communication
protocol is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,544 to Vander Mey et
al, which issued on Jul. 7, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. While X-10 communication protocol
has been disclosed above, any suitable protocol can be used.
[0048] FIG. 8B shows another type of line or cable 133 which
includes a sheath 102b, and a plurality of signal cables 107a,
107b, and 107c. This line or cable 133 is configured to communicate
signals from one component to another. For example, one end of this
cable 133 is connected to a housing of the circuit interrupting
device 12, and the GFCI disposed therein, and the other end is
connected to the remote control unit housing 16 and the electrical
components housed therein. This type cable can also be used for
cables 152b and 153 to communicate between components such as
activating devices 46, 56, 66, 84, or 116 and any one of the
circuit interrupting devices 12, 42, 52, 62, 82, or 112, where the
connection does not require a power cable.
[0049] The circuit interrupting devices, plug assemblies and the
activating devices described above may include an audio indicator
(e.g., buzzer), a visual indicator (e.g., light emitting diodes) or
both as indicator means to provide users with an indication of the
status of the circuit interrupting device, or any other suitable
indicator.
[0050] With the embodiments disclosed above, the signal lines 104,
and 130, or communication power line 106 can also be adapted to
allow for two-way communication between the activating devices such
as activating devices 16, 46, 56, 66, 84, or 116 and the circuit
interrupting device. Alternatively, FIG. 9A discloses another
embodiment of the invention wherein with this design, there is an
optional remote monitoring device 150 which in this embodiment, is
in wired communication with activating device 116 via a wired
communication line 152b (See FIG. 10A) which can be formed similar
to any one of wired lines 100, 120 or 132 which can be used to
relay signals back and forth between the devices.
[0051] Alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 9A, remote control
device 150 can communicate with any one of different remote
activating devices 114, 116, or 118 (See FIG. 10B) in a wireless
manner. This wireless communication can be in the form of any
suitable wireless communication such as 802.11x, bluetooth or any
other available wireless protocol.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B remote activating devices 114
and 118 can then communicate with circuit interrupting device 112
in a wireless manner, while remote activating device 116 can
communicate with circuit interrupting device 112 in a wired manner.
This form of wired communication can be via any suitable or known
wired communication lines such as any one of the lines shown in
FIG. 6, 7, or 8. The wireless communication between activating
device 114 can be in the form of an infrared protocol. The wireless
communication between activating device 118 can be in the form of a
radio frequency protocol, which can be in the form of any suitable
radio frequency protocol. FIGS. 10A and 1013 show that circuit
interrupting device 112 has a test button, 112a, a reset button
112b and a housing 112c. Remote activating device 114 has a test
button 114a, a reset button 114b and a housing 114c, remote
activating device 116 has a test button 116a, a reset button 116b
and a housing 116c, while remote activating device 118 has a test
button 118a, a reset button 118b and a housing 118c.
[0053] In this case, remote device 150 can be any type of remote
device such as a personal computer or (PC) having an automation
software, a computer server, or a commercial or industrial
monitoring system such as used in fire alarm systems. This remote
device 150 can be in the form of a computer or server and have
incorporated therein any necessary components such as a processor,
a memory unit, a mass storage device or hard drive.
[0054] This device 150 can also have an associated monitor or
display as well to display the status of the actuating device or
the fault circuit interrupter device. This type display can be in
the form of a graphical display or via a text messaging display. In
addition, remote module 150 can also forward on the status of the
activating device or the fault circuit interrupting device to other
remote devices such as other computers, pagers, cell phones, or
other communication devices, in the form of text messages or
graphical representations as well. With this type of communication,
a user of this system would not have to be physically near either
the fault circuit device 12, or 112 or the associated activating
devices to constantly check the status of these devices. For
example, FIGS. 9A-9C also show remote module 150 which can
optionally connect to mobile devices 154 such as cell phones,
pagers, or any other known or suitable mobile devices, or to a wide
area network such as the internet 155 to allow for additional
off-site communication.
[0055] FIG. 9B shows a schematic block diagram of remote control
device or remote activating device 150 which is in communication
directly with circuit interrupting device 112. Remote control
device 150 can communicate from a near or far distance via a wired
communication line 153 which can be formed from lines shown in any
one of FIG. 6, 7, or 8 or any other wired lines. This communication
can be directly with circuit interrupting device 112 to either
monitor and display a status of circuit interrupting device 112 or
to selectively activate circuit interrupting device 112 as well.
This level of control can be in the form of remotely activating the
test circuitry 220, 225 (See FIG. 12) or the reset circuitry 230,
235. The wired communication can be via any known or suitable
protocols such as via a TCP/IP protocol, X-10 or any other
available or known or suitable protocol in the art. These remote
control devices are not limited to any particular device and can
include a computer, a computer workstation, a desktop computer, a
laptop computer, a server, a personal digital assistant, a
telephone, a cellular telephone, and a text messaging device. These
devices can send and receive any known wireless communication
protocols, wired or wireless commands, or wired communication
protocols.
[0056] Alternatively, the communication between remote control
device 150 can be in the form of wireless communication such as via
wireless, 802.11x, short-range personal area network, or any other
known or suitable wireless communication protocols such as but not
limited to: short range wireless specification (sold under the
trademark "Bluetooth"); all IEEE 802 channels; Digital Enhanced
Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Cellular; wireless sensor
technology (sold under the trademark "ZigBee EnOcean"); personal
area networks; UltraWideband (UWB); WLAN (Wireless Local Area
Network); WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network); Broadband
Fixed Access; Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS); WiMax;
(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access); HiperMAN (High
Performance Radio Metropolitan Area Network); optical; audio,
sonic, or radio communication.
[0057] Also any known wired protocol can be used such as but not
limited to TCP/IP; "X-10"; Universal Powerline Bus (UPB); KNX,
INSTEON, BACnet (Building, Automation and Control networks), and
LonWorks, and any known protocols for transmission over lines such
as telephone lines and Ethernet lines.
[0058] In addition, both the remote devices 150, 151, 154, the
remote activating devices 114, 116, and 118, and the circuit
interrupting devices can include addressable circuitry as is known
in the art such as for example, a network interface card or an
addressable wireless transceiver for use over a TCP/IP network for
allowing for addressing and location on a computer network.
[0059] FIG. 9C is another schematic block diagram showing remote
control device 150 which is shown communicating either directly
with fault circuit interrupting device 112, or indirectly with
fault circuit interrupting device 112 through an additional
communication or control device 151. Additional communication or
control device 151 can be in the form of a personal computer, or a
router. For example, remote control device 150 can be in the form
of a server that controls additional remote control device 151, or
communicates through this remote control device 151 to communicate
with fault circuit interrupter 112.
[0060] FIG. 11A discloses another embodiment of the remote
activation device 116 which is in wired communication with a GFCI
control device/fault circuit device 112 through wired line 158.
Fault circuit device 112 includes a test button 112a, a reset
button 112b and an indicator light 113.
[0061] Remote activation device 116 acts on circuit interrupting
device 112 in a similar manner as one or more of activating devices
14, 16, or 18 would act on circuit interrupting device 12. In this
view, a wire input line 152b which can be similar to lines 100,
120, or 132 is coupled into remote activation device 116. Line 152b
allows for bi-directional communication which can lead to other
fault circuits or to remote monitoring device 150 (See FIGS.
9A-9C). Line 158 connects remote activation device 116 with fault
circuit interrupter 112 and can be in any desired form and for
example, can be similar in configuration to any one of lines 100,
120 or 132, wherein this line 158 allows for bi-directional
communication between fault circuit device 112 and remote
activation device 116. Line 159 is coupled between fault circuit
device 112 and the device being controlled such as a vending
machine or freezer or any other useful product. Line 159 can
include communication lines, but could also be simply in the form
of a power line connecting fault device 112 with the desired
load.
[0062] In addition, there can be alternative configurations of the
remote activation device, wherein remote activation device 114 is
designed to communicate with infrared communication via signals
114d between remote activation device 114 and fault circuit device
112. This type of communication can be a two-way communication
wherein signals transmitted from remote activation device 114 could
be used to activate or test fault device 112, while the signals
transmitted back to remote activation device 114 could be in the
form of information relating to the status of fault circuit device
112, such as whether fault circuit needs to be reset.
Alternatively, remote activation device 118 can communicate in a
bi-directional manner as well, relaying information or commands
between remote activation device 118 and fault circuit 112 via RF
or WIFI communication protocol 118d.
[0063] FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the remote
activating device 116, which includes a top cover 160, which
connects to a bottom cover 170 via screws 172 and a gasket 174
disposed in between. Top cover 160 and bottom cover 170 form a
housing which enclose a circuit board 180. In addition, disposed
below top cover 160 is a series of buttons including a test button
156a, a reset button 156b as well as an LED light indicator cover
156c all formed in a lens assembly 162. Buttons 156a and 156b
connect to circuit board 180 via respective contacts 182 and 184.
LED light 186 is disposed below LED light cover 156c and is used to
indicate the condition of the fault interrupter 112. (See FIG.
11A).
[0064] In addition, disposed inside of this housing are strain
relief clips 196 and 198 which can be of any necessary shape but in
this view are shown as U-shaped and connect over a wire connection
section 200 of line 152b. Wire connection section 200 includes
three different sets of wires 202, 204, and 206 which can be
crimped or coupled together in any known way. Wire line 202
includes associated communication lines 208 which can be coupled
into circuit board 180 for communication with circuit board 180.
Circuit board 180 can also be electrically coupled to any one of
power lines 202, 204, or 206 in any known manner to derive power
from these lines.
[0065] FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a fault circuit
interrupter circuit 210 which can be disposed inside of fault
circuit devices 12, 42, 56, 82, or 112. The basic components of
this circuit are discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.
6,864,766 to DiSalvo et al, wherein the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0066] This circuit includes test switch 220, and reset switch 230.
Test switch 220 has an associated override switch 225 which is
coupled in parallel with test switch 220. There is also a reset
override switch 235 which is coupled in parallel with reset switch
230. Coupled to both test override switch 225 and reset override
switch 235 is a controller 240. In addition, coupled to controller
240 is a transceiver 250. In an alternative design, controller 240
and transceiver 250 can be incorporated into a single electronic
component in any known way. This transceiver 250 can also be
coupled to an antenna 260 for transmitting and receiving signals to
and from a wireless remote controlling device 150 or a wireless
activating device 18 or 118.
[0067] With this design, circuit interrupting device 12, 112 can
communicate directly with a remote control device 150 without the
need for an activating device 14, 16, 18, 114, 116, or 118.
Instead, remote control device 150 can act as a remote monitoring
device simply monitoring the status of circuit interrupting device
12, or 112, or monitor the status of the load connected to circuit
interrupting device 12 or 112. For example, the monitoring features
could be designed to read both the status of the test and reset
circuitry, and also whether the load, such as a vending machine, or
any other type load is for example, electrically coupled and
drawing power from circuit interrupting device 12 or 112. If the
load is capable of communicating any additional information on its
status, then this information could be communicated to remote
control device 150 via any known means such as wireless or wired
communication.
[0068] Remote control device 150 can also act as a remote actuation
device as well. In this case, the communication can be via wireless
communication such as though transceiver 250, or through wired
communication means. Depending on the information sent from remote
control device 150, this device could then be used to control the
circuit interrupting device via remote control switch 225 for the
test circuitry or via remote control switch 235 for the reset
circuitry. Other control information could also be passed on from
the circuit interrupting device to control the load directly in any
known manner.
[0069] For example, signals are sent wirelessly to antenna 260 and
are then passed on to transceiver 250, wherein these signals are
then processed in controller 240. This information is then sent on
to selectively control test switch circuitry 225 or reset switch
circuitry 235. If the communication is via wired lines, then this
information can be passed on to phase line 227 or neutral line 228
via X-10 or other powerline communication protocols. Alternatively,
the wired connection can feed information into this circuit 210 via
communication contact lines 226 via communication lines 104 or
120
[0070] Ultimately with this design, a fault circuit interrupting
device 12, 42, 56, 82, or 112 can be controlled from multiple
different locations either via wirelessly or in a wired mode.
[0071] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of anther embodiment which is
a wall unit for insertion into a single gang electrical enclosure.
This type of device could also be inserted into a double gang or
other sized enclosure as well. The enclosures could be in the form
of a wall box which is recessed into a wall in a known manner. As
shown, this fault circuit device 310 includes a housing 311, a
reset button 312a which is similar to reset button 112a, a test
button 312b which is similar to test button 112b. This device also
includes metal contacts 320 which allow power lines to be connected
thereto. Thus, with this design, if the power lines conduct signals
such as through the "X-10" protocol, a remote device such as remote
monitoring device 150 could be used to communicate with this
device. Alternatively, this device could include the circuitry as
shown in FIG. 12 which would also be designed to allow wireless
communication with remote monitoring devices as well. Thus, this
device could be remotely activated or monitored while being
inserted into a wall box.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 14, there is also a method for remotely
testing a circuit interrupting device such as but not limited to
devices 12, 42, 52, 62, 82, or 112. The method comprises a series
of steps, including a first step S1 of sending a signal from a
remote location or a remote device such as but not limited to
devices 14, 16, 18, 46, 56, 66, 84, 114, 116, 118, 150, or 154, to
a circuit interrupting device, wherein this signal comprises at
least one of a test signal and a reset signal. Next, step S2
involves receiving a signal by the circuit interrupting device.
Once the signal is received, step S3 involves performing an action
on at least one component of the circuit interrupting device
wherein this action comprises at least one of a test of one of the
components of the circuit interrupting device and a reset of the
circuit interrupting device. This method for remote testing can
also optionally include a step S4 of providing an indication of a
result of the test of at least one component in the circuit
interrupting device. This indication step can include any one of
providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication,
or sending a signal from the circuit interrupting device to a
remote testing device to indicate a result of the test.
[0073] When the component is tested, the testing step can comprise
testing the circuit interrupting device to determine if the circuit
interrupting device is operating properly. This step of testing
such as in step S3 can include testing at least one component by
tripping at least one set of contacts such as contacts 235 of the
circuit interrupting device.
[0074] The above steps can be performed using wireless technology
such as any known wireless technology such as from the group of:
802.11x; all IEEE 802 channels; Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications DECT; Cellular; personal area networks;
UltraWideband (UWB); WLAN; WMAN; Broadband Fixed Access; Local
Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS); WiMax; HiperMAN.
[0075] While there have been shown and described various features
and embodiments of a portable circuit interrupting assembly, it
will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and
changes of the form and details of the devices illustrated and in
their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the subject matter of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *